Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes (Printable Version)
Al dente pasta tossed with homemade basil pesto and caramelized cherry tomatoes for a quick, flavorful Italian dinner.
# Ingredients:
01 -
12 oz (340g) pasta, such as rigatoni
02 -
2 cups fresh basil leaves
03 -
½ cup (about 60g) pine nuts (or walnuts/cashews)
04 -
1 clove garlic for pesto
05 -
½ cup (about 45g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
06 -
½ cup (120ml) olive oil for pesto
07 -
1 tbsp (15ml) olive oil for roasting tomatoes
08 -
2 cups (about 250g) cherry tomatoes, halved
09 -
Salt, to taste
10 -
Pepper, to taste
11 -
2 cloves garlic for roasting tomatoes, optional
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place them on a baking sheet. Drizzle the tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Optionally, add 2 whole garlic cloves for more flavor. Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and caramelized.
02 -
While the tomatoes are roasting, make the pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic clove, and Parmesan cheese. Gradually add the olive oil while blending until the pesto reaches a smooth consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional cheese if desired.
03 -
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package directions (typically 8-10 minutes for al dente). Once cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
04 -
Return the pasta to the pot and immediately toss with the freshly made pesto. Add the reserved pasta water as needed to help coat the pasta evenly with the pesto.
05 -
Gently fold the roasted tomatoes into the pesto-coated pasta. Be careful not to break them apart too much.
06 -
Serve the pesto pasta in individual bowls, garnishing with fresh basil leaves, extra grated Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts if desired.
# Notes:
01 -
Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
02 -
Optionally toast the pine nuts before blending for a more intense flavor.